Chelsea’s squad overhaul set to begin as midfielder in ‘concrete talks’ to join AC Milan this summer

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is in talks with AC Milan to leave Chelsea this summer, according to reports.

The 27-year-old is out of contract next summer and Chelsea are planning a squad overhaul with incoming head coach Mauricio Pochettino to reduce the bloated 30-plus man group.

Loftus-Cheek, who also spent periods out on loan at Crystal Palace and Fulham, has achieved his dream of making his way through the academy and playing for the first-team at Stamford Bridge, overcoming multiple injury problems, including rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Midfield is an area which looks set for a revamp. Jorginho departed in January, while the futures of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante are yet to be resolved. Conor Gallagher was also linked with a move away in the winter window.

But Loftus-Cheek could be one of the first to depart this summer to kickstart the planned clear out.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the England international is in ‘concrete talks’ with AC Milan, who were knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday at the semi-finals stage.

He is their priority target to rebuild their midfield, which would see him reunite with former Chelsea stars Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud at the San Siro.

Loftus-Cheek is ‘keen’ on the move and negotiations are reported to be ‘progressing very well’.

Departures are a priority for Chelsea this summer in order to help the club comply with Financial Fair Play regulations as they look to balance the books following a lavish £600 million spend in the last two transfer windows.

Chelsea are also eyeing a new goalkeeper, midfielder and striker this summer to bounce back from what has been a disappointing 2022/23 campaign.